🕘 11 min read

On February 14, the provincial government announced all regions in Ontario will move into the Roadmap Exit Step on March 1, 2022.  

Effective today, almost all COVID-19 restrictions come to an end in Ontario, including the lifting of all remaining capacity limits for indoor public settings and proof of vaccination is no longer required for all settings.

This easing of measures (O. Reg. 364/20) swiftly follows previous restrictions lifted less than two weeks ago. As of February 17, 2022, restaurants and bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities no long have:

- Capacity limits
- Table seat limits
- Physical distancing
- Patrons to remain seated while eating or dining
- Capacity signage
- Contract tracing (as of January 31).

Restrictions for businesses at that time included other changes, such as: no dancing if the establishment does not have dance facilities. If it does, establishments such as nightclubs, restoclubs and other similar establishments, 25% capacity is permitted indoor, 75% outdoor, and singing is finally permitted again.

This quick change is in sharp contrast to government mandates in previous weeks: On December 17, 2021, new measures and restrictions in response to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant were announced including time limits for operating hours, service and the sale of alcohol. Indoor dining was banned as of January 5, 2022, then permitted at half capacity on January 31.

In the almost two years since dining rooms were first ordered to close due to COVID-19, the hospitality industry has had to adhere to a battery of strict lockdowns, closures and protocols other sectors were not subject to. Understandably, some owners remain wary of these newfound ‘freedoms.’

PASSPORT, PLEASE

Now that businesses and organizations can “choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry,” a number of local establishments have decided to keep Ontario’s vaccination “passport” with recently enforced QR codes and active screening in place. For now, anyway.  

Stuart Sakai, owner of Japanese eatery and sake bar Sakai Bar at Dundas and Brock, posted a message on social. In part: “We’ve a very small team working a small room with a small group of lovely diners. As such, for the time being I feel that it’s in the best interest of our patrons and staff that we continue to check vaccine status via ontario’s [sic] enhanced vaccine certificate and ID’s of diners.”

Stephen Schweighardt. owner of café/bar Larry’s Folly in Parkdale shared a similar sentiment on social media: “As a team, we have decided it is in the best interest of our staff and to all of you - those who have trusted us and our space enough to spend time here during such tumultuous times - that we will CONTINUE to screen for proof of vaccination if you wish to join us inside. It’s been a long road for all of us to get to this point, where most of us can feel comfortable dining inside for a coffee or drink, or going to see live music like we did last night. We’re just not quite ready to risk losing that again.” He continues on a more personal note: “There are so many factors at play in this decision, professionally but also personally. I have loved ones who are not well, newborn nieces and nephews who I want to see and people I need to be there for. At the moment, this is a small part I can play to allow for that in my life and for my staff. We will re-evaluate in a month’s time and make an informed decision then. If you have any issues with this, please contact me directly. There will be zero tolerance for anyone who decides to take this up with my staff. Mutual respect is all we ask. See you out there, be kind to one another 💛”

In a post announcing folks appearing behind the bar for the evening of March 1, wine shop, bar and winery Paradise Grapevine closed with: “For the comfort of our staff and guests we will be checking vax passports for the event tonight.” [UPDATE below]

Mandatory vaccinations to enter or patronize a bar, restaurant, hotel, or other food and drink establishments in Ontario were announced September 1, 2021, and effective as of September 22, 2021. At that time, government issued photo ID and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two doses plus 14 days) either PDF printed hard copy or digitally was required. Enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code became required January 31, 2022 - just 29 days before the government nixed it.

Backlash and boycotts of businesses due to mandatory vaccinations occurred when they were decreed by government. The decision of what’s best for their employees and their customers, is again, in the hands of owners.

MASK ON OR OFF?

While mask mandates continue, it might not be long before they too can be tossed aside. According to Premier Doug Ford during a press conference on Monday, as early as after March Break, only a few weeks away.

This follows the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s statement including the importance of wearing a mask released November 21, 2021, just over three months ago: “While COVID-19 is still circulating in Canada and internationally, public health practices remain crucial.” “In particular, physical distancing and properly wearing a well-fitted and well-constructed face mask when in public or private spaces with others outside of your household, provide additional layers of protection that further reduce your risk inall [sic] settings.”

Public Health Ontario’s 18-page Evidence Brief, ‘SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and Community Masking,’ dated less than a month after the aforementioned statement (December 15, 2021), begins with the following key messages:

• “Emerging evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern (VOC) is highly transmissible, as it has higher growth rates and secondary household attack rates compared to the Delta variant, and associated with lower vaccine effectiveness. It is currently unclear if the observed increase in transmissibility could be related to an increase in infectiousness of aerosols.”

• “Prevention measures should be optimized with a layered approach to mitigate against conditions conducive to transmission such as the “3 C’s”: closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact. This approach includes wearing well-fitting and well-constructed masks.”

• “With the emergence of Omicron, multiple European jurisdictions (i.e., Denmark, England, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland and Norway) have maintained or strengthened masking recommendations and requirements in public settings where they may have previously relaxed or were considering relaxing masking policies. Some jurisdictions (i.e., France, Germany and Italy) have recommended masks with specific filtering levels (i.e., medical masks or respirators instead of cloth masks) in select settings such as public transit and schools.”

• “In the current Omicron risk context, it is recommended that mask fit and filtration are optimized. This can be achieved by wearing a non-fit tested respirator (N95s, KN95s) or wellfitted medical mask. A high quality 3-layer non-medical mask (i.e., cloth masks) can be a reasonable alternative if it promotes adherence. Respirators are designed to closely fit or seal to the face, and while fit-testing is not required for use in the community, N95s without fit-testing and KN95s cannot be assumed to filter all of the air inhaled (i.e., respiratory protection).” 

• “Given the early evidence that Omicron variant is more highly transmissible than the Delta variant with potential increased contribution of aerosol transmission, and is associated with reduced vaccine effectiveness and increased risk of re-infection, selecting a mask that optimizes fit and filtration that can be worn correctly and comfortably by the general public in community settings may enhance the current public health measures.”

The brief above was published nearly three months ago. Changes with the variants are happening quickly. Is is time for masks to come off or do they continue to play a crucial role in the prevention of spreading viruses such as COVID-19?

PROCEEDING WITH CAUTION

March 1, 2022 marks the dawn of a new day for the hospitality industry in Ontario, but after the constant change of rules and regulations over two years, owners and workers have plenty of reasons to be trepidatious and to proceed with caution.

Are the current easing of restrictions too much too soon in the wake of Omicron or long overdue? However you view the changes, one thing is certain: the industry’s road to recovery is incredibly arduous, rocky, complicated, and still a long way off.'

Update March 7, 2022 - After consultation with their staff, Paradise Grapevine has “decided not to check vax passports anymore.” Establishments currently keeping the vaccination policy in effect include: Oji Seichi “March 1- TBD” and Pomorosa “until  further notice.” The Rosedale Diner confirmed with Toronto Restaurants the policy is in effect “for this month, at least,” and Times Square Diner affirmed, “For the time being, we are still checking vaccination certificates for our dine-in customers.”

For more information about COVID-19 and vaccinations, visit the Ontario Health website.

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